DAYTONA BEACH — Mitch Cox said he felt like he was on an episode of TruTV's "Operation Repo" when his company's $4 million, 550-ton crane came up missing this week. It turns out he wasn't far from the truth after a zealous towing company drove away with it. "It's absolutely crazy" said Cox, vice president of Port Orange-based W.W. Gay Mechanical Services Inc. "When you have permission to do everything and do everything you're supposed to, you don't expect this to happen." Cox said his company had been contracted to replace air-conditioning units atop Aliki Condominiums at 2828 N. Atlantic Ave. Crews on Monday and Tuesday night parked the crane, along with several trailers, in a vacant lot across the street. But on Wednesday morning the equipment was gone. According to a report taken by Daytona Beach police, the crane — which can reach close to 50 stories — was taken by Extreme Recovery Inc., which operates out of Holly Hill and has been in operation since 1990. Reached by phone Thursday, manager Aaron Forsman said his towing company is contracted with the owner of the vacant property. According to the police report, a sign is posted on the property with the towing company's information. "If you park on private property, your vehicle is going to get towed," Forsman said. Cox said he and representatives of the condominium had gotten permission to park the crane across the street. The crane's door was damaged when the tow company attempted to get in and drive it away, Cox added. Forsman denied the allegation. "I can assure you there was no damage done," he said. Daytona Beach police spokesman Jimmie Flynt said it is unlikely criminal charges would be filed in the case because the crane was towed from private property. "Right now, this is a civil issue," he said. When workers went to retrieve the crane, they were told they would need $1,600 — in cash — to get it back, the police report shows. By the time authorities were notified, the price — including a storage fee — had gone up to $2,405. In the end, Cox said the company paid about $1,800 to get the crane back on Wednesday. By Thursday, the job was done. Cox said the crane would be disassembled and taken away, this time by his company. Next time, he'll probably be more wary of where he parks. "I've never had this happen," he said. "It's really something silly."